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12-06-2017 | Commentary

An operational definition of essential biodiversity variables

Authors: Dirk S. Schmeller, Jean-Baptiste Mihoub, Anne Bowser, Christos Arvanitidis, Mark J. Costello, Miguel Fernandez, Gary N. Geller, Donald Hobern, W. Daniel Kissling, Eugenie Regan, Hannu Saarenmaa, Eren Turak, Nick J. B. Isaac

Published in: Biodiversity and Conservation | Issue 12/2017

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Abstract

The concept of essential biodiversity variables (EBVs) was proposed in 2013 to improve harmonization of biodiversity data into meaningful metrics. EBVs were conceived as a small set of variables which collectively capture biodiversity change at multiple spatial scales and within time intervals that are of scientific and management interest. Despite the apparent simplicity of the concept, a plethora of variables that describes not only biodiversity but also any environmental features have been proposed as potential EBV (i.e. candidate EBV). The proliferation of candidates reflects a lack of clarity on what may constitute a variable that is essential to track biodiversity change, which hampers the operationalization of EBVs and therefore needs to be urgently addressed. Here, we propose that an EBV should be defined as a biological state variable in three key dimensions (time, space, and biological organization) that is critical to accurately document biodiversity change.

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Literature
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Metadata
Title
An operational definition of essential biodiversity variables
Authors
Dirk S. Schmeller
Jean-Baptiste Mihoub
Anne Bowser
Christos Arvanitidis
Mark J. Costello
Miguel Fernandez
Gary N. Geller
Donald Hobern
W. Daniel Kissling
Eugenie Regan
Hannu Saarenmaa
Eren Turak
Nick J. B. Isaac
Publication date
12-06-2017
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
Biodiversity and Conservation / Issue 12/2017
Print ISSN: 0960-3115
Electronic ISSN: 1572-9710
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-017-1386-9